Signs, Signals, and Other

OBJECTIVES: 1. Explain the meaning of the 8 shapes and colors used for traffic signs. 2. Describe the actions to take @ a variety of signs.

3. List 5 situations where warning signs are used. 4. Explain how guide signs help you when driving.

COLORS AND SHAPES There are eight shapes and eight colors.

Each has a special meaning.

SHAPES Octagon = stop Triangle = yield V Rectangle =regulatory Pentagon = school Round = railroad x Pennant = no pass Diamond = warning H Rectangle = guide

COLORS Red = stop, yield, or prohibited Yellow = warning White = regulatory Orange = construction or detour

Black = regulatory Green = guide Blue = motorist information Brown = public recreation & cultural interest

EXAMPLES

REGULATORY SIGNS Tell you about laws that you must obey. Things you can and can not do. Direct traffic, control parking Usually rectangle or squares and white with red and/or black lettering

STOP SIGNS Used on a road that crosses a main highway or a through street. Always come to a complete stop (a complete stop means absence of forward motion) and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.

4 WAY STOP SIGNS First there, first to Proceed. Same time, person on the right has the right of way.

Inch up when sight is obstructed.

Check traffic Left, right, left

Proceed with caution when clear

Signal your intentions.

SPEED LIMIT SIGNS •

Set for ideal conditions (heavy traffic, low visibility, rough road = SLOW DOWN)

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You may travel at the posted speed as long as conditions permit

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You may not drive faster than is safe, no matter what the posted speed is

ADVISORY SPEED LIMITS Sharp curves School zones (time of day) Limited visibility

WARNING SIGNS Helps you avoid surprise situation

Side road Two way traffic Deer crossing Falling rock Hill Cross road

NO PASSING AND RAILROAD SIGNS NO PASSING •

Yellow and black pennant-shaped sign. Used with a solid yellow or solid white line.

RAILROAD •

A round yellow and black sign. 250 feet before the crossing in a city and 750 feet in rural areas. May or may not have flashing light and gates.

SCHOOL ZONE SIGNS •

Yellow and black Two children

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Posted within a block of any school

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Use extra care, children may dart out in front of you

SCHOOL ZONE SIGNS (cont) SCHOOL CROSSING Yellow and black

Children in a crosswalk Posted near intersections and crosswalks children use.

CONSTRUCTION SIGNS Orange, diamondshaped or rectangular. Alert and warn you of slow moving vehicles, men working, lane shifts. Traffic fine double!

GUIDE SIGNS Provide information Guides motorists Highlights routes Shows points of interest Roadway services Emergency information Show intersections and exits

GUIDE SIGN COLORS GREEN = exits, miles, streets, cities, towns. BLUE = motorists information. Hospital, gas, phone, lodging BROWN = points of interest

INTERSTATE ROUTE SIGNS •

East-West route is even numbered (I-80 is an east / west interstate, yes?) 

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North-South route is odd numbered (I-15 is a north / south interstate, yes?) 

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Three-figured route that starts with an odd number leads into a city

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Three-figured starting with an even numbered goes around a city

ROUTE SIGNS All local, state, national, and interstate routes are posted with numbered signs.

INTERNATIONAL SIGNS These signs tell their messages with symbols rather than words. Able to read signs without knowing several different languages.

TRAFFIC SIGNALS OBJECTIVES: 1. Describe what to do on a red light, a yellow light, and a green light.

2. Describe the action to take when you approach a flashing red or yellow signal. 3. Explain how arrows and lanes signals control traffic. 4. Describe the actions to take w/ pedestrians and officer’s signals.

TRAFFIC LIGHTS Red lights = full stop and wait for light to change and proceed, when clear, with caution. Yellow lights = make every effort to stop safely. Green = proceed with caution..

RIGHT TURN ON RED You may turn right on red unless a sign is posted prohibiting that action. ********************************************************************************************************************************

Come to a full stop Check for signs Yield to traffic and pedestrians Complete turn when intersection is and will remain clear, if there's a doubt, wait!

FLASHING LIGHTS Red / Yellow Used to caution drivers or to tell them to stop. These are used at intersections and other hazardous locations.

ARROWS, LANE SIGNALS & PEDESTRIANS SIGNALS Tell you where and when to go, and in what direction. Which lanes are open and closed. Which lanes are closing.

OFFICER’S SIGNALS Always follow a signal from a police officer, even if it is different from the street, road, and/or signals posted on the roadway. Directions from an officer trump (over – rule) lights and signs and markers!

ROADWAY MARKINGS OBJECTIVES: 1. Describe the difference between broken yellow lines and broken white lines. 2. Explain the purpose of rumble strips and raised roadway markers. 3. List six types of special roadway markings.

ROADWAY MARKINGS •

Give you a warning or instruction. Usually lines, words and/or figures painted on the roadway.

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Sometimes on curbs and other surfaces too.

YELLOW LINE MARKINGS Used to separate two-way traffic. Lets you know when you are allowed to pass and when it is prohibited.

WHITE LINE MARKINGS Separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Solid lines keep drivers in their lanes and restrict lane changing.

SOLID WHITE LINES ACROSS YOUR LANE •

Stop lines for stop signs and traffic lights

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Crosswalks

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These lines are “stop BEHIND me” lines…

RUMBLE STRIPS AND RAISED ROADWAY MARKERS • • • •

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Alert you of upcoming hazards Mark lanes at night Upcoming tolls (in the East, you PAY on the roads, to drive)  Edge of roadway Going the wrong way

OTHER ROADWAY MARKINGS School crossing School zone Handicapped access/parking Loading zone Bus stop RR crossing Crosswalk

End of This Reading Section… Some of this information is included in your Module Quiz… MOST of it is included on your DRED Final Exam and DMV Driver’s Test.